Pride & Prejudice Book Club Podcast

Confession time: Emilie almost missed out on one of her favorite variations because a little "pride" and "prejudice" against modern variations got in her way!

This week we're gushing over An Unexpected Harvest by Cat Andrews, a book that Emilie initially started, set back down, and waited weeks to pick back up. But she's so glad she did! Much like Darcy, Emilie discovered that what she thought would be merely "tolerable" turned out to be very, very tempting indeed...

Here's what blew us away: An Unexpected Harvest follows Pride and Prejudice almost beat for beat in the first half, and then Cat Andrews throws the playbook out and lets the story breathe. And honestly? That second half might be our favorite part! Add in a gender swap that works incredibly well, character name-shuffling that kept us genuinely guessing what would happen next, and a main couple with a relationship that felt real, and we had a lot to say.

Some bigger themes snuck in too, like ideas around wanting to be independent individuals while still craving having a person to depend on, and why women giving up their dreams for love is somehow still a whole conversation we're having in 2026. Plus, a candid conversation about spice (no judgment here!) and how Cat Andrews brilliantly writes spice that feels character-driven and important to the narrative.

If you've been on the fence about modern variations, this might be the episode — and the book — that changes your mind. We're also sharing what's on our Kindles right now, teasing our upcoming Live Book Club with Heather Moll's A Most Natural Consequence on April 25th, and dropping some very exciting news about an upcoming author interview with Cat Andrews herself.

 

Episode Credits:

🎙️ Hosted by Emilie Davis and Sharon Cortez

🎵 Music Credit: Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.

📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!

➡️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Today we’re kicking off a new kind of conversation on the podcast: Revisiting episodes, where Emilie chats with a book clubber about books we’ve already covered (or ones they’re especially passionate about). Because let’s be honest… one conversation is never enough. 😊

In this episode, Emilie is joined by Alexis, who volunteered to be our very first guest for this new format. We dive into a reread of Mistaken by Jessie Lewis, one of Alexis's favorites (and given Emilie's open admiration for it, are you really surprised that we started with that variation?)

We talk about what makes this story so compelling, including the focus on external conflicts to Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship, the emotional impact of Jane's storyline, and one of the most unsettling (and fascinating) portrayals of Bingley you’ll ever read. We also get into the treatment of side characters like Caroline and Mrs. Sinclair, and why this book continues to hold up on a reread.

And because we can never stay on just one book, we also wander into a conversation about Ardently by Caitlin Williams!

If you’ve ever wanted to revisit a favorite, or just talk about these books with someone who gets it, maybe you should consider volunteering, too!

Apply Here: https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/nerd

Episode Credits:

🎙️ Hosted by Emilie Davis and Guest Host Alexis Li

🎵 Music Credit: Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.

📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!

➡️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

For Emilie, one of the biggest "perks" of hosting this podcast is getting to talk with authors who love these characters as much as she does ❤️ And Julie Cooper is no exception!

 

From "Tempt Me" to "Nameless" to "A Stronger Impulse," Julie has explored some truly imaginative corners of the Pride and Prejudice universe. In this episode, Emilie and Julie talk about where her plot ideas come from and how she strives to keep Elizabeth Bennet unmistakably herself, even when the circumstances around her change dramatically.

 

We also discuss her writing process (including her seemingly endless plot bunny document), her commitment to happily-ever-after endings, the unofficial rules she follows when writing Darcy and Elizabeth, and why Pride and Prejudice variations can feel like such a comforting place to land when the real world gets complicated.

 

And be warned: this episode definitely contains plot bunnies!

-

🎵 Music Credit:
Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.

📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!

➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Do you remember your first Pride & Prejudice variation? 

This week on the Pride and Prejudice Book Club, we revisit one of Sharon's first loves (and a longtime favorite from her Scholastic Book Fair days): Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg.

As Emilie reads the book for the first time, we talk about how the scholarship storyline replaces Regency class divisions, how the Lydia/Wickham plot translates into a teenage setting, and why giving Elizabeth real musical brilliance adds an especially satisfying modern dimension to her character. We also examine the difference between reading the book when you're the target demo (aka, a teen) vs. reading it as a full-fledged adult. 

We can't help but share a few prom stories of our own, too!

Whether Prom & Prejudice was your first variation—or you’re discovering it for the first time with us—this episode is a fun look back at a nostalgic modern retelling and how our experience of Pride & Prejudice variations changes as we grow.

When Darcy and Elizabeth are kidnapped by highwaymen, danger, tension, and forced proximity follow.

But one question quickly takes over the episode: Is the highwayman Nate Morgan a romantic rogue… or a distraction from the real love story?

And more importantly, why does Sharon seem to have developed a small crush on him?

This week we’re discussing The Journey by Jan Hahn, a Pride and Prejudice variation that throws Darcy and Elizabeth into a perilous adventure when their carriage is stopped by highwaymen and they are taken captive…while pretending to be husband and wife. While “Elizabeth and Darcy against the world” is a favorite trope for both of us, we debate whether Darcy ends up taking a back seat in his own romance thanks to the highwayman having a little too much romantic chemistry with Elizabeth.

This story is a bit of a blast from the past for Emilie, who first read it early in her Pride and Prejudice variation journey. Returning to it more than a decade later (after reading hundreds of variations ) led to an interesting conversation about how our tastes evolve and how a story can feel very different the second time around.

Along the way we discuss our feelings about this particular “obstinate, headstrong” version of Elizabeth, the difference between possessive jealousy and introspective jealousy, and the enduring sexiness of emotional security in a relationship.

So join us as we revisit an early favorite, and debate the wisdom of letting a charming side character steal the hero’s spotlight.

***

🎵 Music Credit: Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.

📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!

➡️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

🎙️Do you have thoughts on an episode that you can't wait to discuss? Geek out with Emilie by applying to be a mini podcast co-host! https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/geek